How Do Trump and Biden Differ on USAID Abortion Policies?

President Trump’s sudden freeze on USAID funding sends shockwaves through global humanitarian efforts, leaving millions in peril.

Key Takeaways

Trump administration’s USAID funding freeze impacts critical services worldwide, including HIV treatment and humanitarian aid.
The freeze specifically targets projects supporting diversity, inclusion, transgender rights, family planning, and abortion access.
Lifesaving operations, including child malnutrition programs and disease outbreak containment, are at risk.
The halt in funding affects biosecurity measures and humanitarian aid in conflict zones like Ukraine.
Biden administration’s approach contrasts sharply, with increased support for global reproductive health services.

Trump’s USAID Freeze: A Shift in U.S. Foreign Aid Policy

The Trump administration’s decision to halt federal grants and loans through USAID has created widespread confusion and disruption across government agencies, Congress, state programs, and nonprofit organizations. This abrupt policy shift marks a significant change in U.S. humanitarian policy, with some comparing its impact to that of the Marshall Plan.

The freeze has had far-reaching consequences, affecting various sectors including health, agriculture, disaster prevention, energy, business services, and conflict resolution. In Pakistan, all USAID-funded programs have been suspended, while in Syria, the halt has disrupted operations at humanitarian sites like the Al-Hol and Al Roj camps, impacting water, sanitation, and security services.

Global Health Crisis Looms

One of the most alarming effects of the USAID freeze is its impact on global health initiatives. Clinics in Uganda and other countries are struggling to find new sources for vital HIV drugs due to the halt in U.S. foreign aid funding. This directly affects the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which provides antiretrovirals to 20 million people with HIV globally.

“This is a matter of life or death”

The freeze has also affected other critical health services. Disease outbreak containment efforts for Marburg, mpox, and Ebola have been halted, and child malnutrition programs in Gaza have been disrupted. In Sudan, U.S.-funded medical facilities chose to continue operations despite the order to stop, risking the lives of up to 100 malnourished children.

Humanitarian Aid in Jeopardy

The impact of the USAID freeze extends beyond health services. Soup kitchens in Sudan feeding hundreds of thousands have shut down due to aid cuts. In Thailand, war refugees with serious illnesses are being turned away from hospitals. Ukrainian residents on the frontline may lack firewood in winter, and the provision of prosthetic limbs for Ukrainian veterans has been affected.

“Everyone is freaking out”

The freeze has also disrupted mine clearing efforts in Mali and Sudan, further endangering lives in these conflict-ridden areas. Water sanitation and polio vaccination programs have been halted in several African countries, putting thousands at risk of preventable diseases.

Administration’s Stance and Criticism

The Trump administration has defended the freeze, citing the need to reevaluate foreign aid spending. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the administration, stated, “It means no more funding for the green new scam that has cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars.” However, this stance has been met with criticism from both domestic and international observers.

“This is a dagger at the heart of the average American family — in red states, in blue states, in cities, in suburbs, in rural areas. It is just outrageous.”

Critics argue that the freeze undermines America’s soft power and global influence. The halt in funding affects biosecurity measures and humanitarian aid in conflict zones like Ukraine, potentially destabilizing fragile regions and straining international relationships.

Contrasting Approaches: Trump vs. Biden

The Trump administration’s approach to USAID funding stands in stark contrast to that of the Biden administration. While Trump’s policies aimed to reduce financial aid for abortion support and other reproductive health services, the Biden administration has shown increased support for these initiatives.

Under Biden, there has been a significant allocation of funds to assist organizations involved in abortion services. In 2022, $607.5 million was allocated to support organizations like Marie Stopes International, highlighting a clear shift in foreign aid and reproductive health strategies between the two administrations.

As the situation continues to unfold, the long-term implications of these contrasting approaches on global health, humanitarian aid, and U.S. foreign policy remain to be seen. The debate over the role and extent of U.S. foreign aid continues to be a contentious issue in American politics.